DeKalb County Residents are urged to follow water restrictions to preserve water pressure for the protection of health and safety. It is very important that all citizens adhere to these restrictions.

Non-drought Schedule for Water Use

The non-drought schedule for outdoor water use declared by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) on June 10, 2009.

391-3-30-.03 (Outdoor Water Use Schedule During Non-Drought Periods)

Under a non-drought schedule, outdoor water use is allowed three days a week on assigned days using odd and even-numbered addresses.

• Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
• Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Water use may occur at any time of the day on the assigned days, but to be water efficient, landscape watering should not occur between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

391-3-30-.05 (Exemptions)

(1) This rule shall not apply to the following outdoor water uses:

1. Capture and re-use of cooling system condensate or storm water in compliance with applicable local ordinances.
2. Re-use of gray water in compliance with applicable local ordinances.

(2) The following established landscape water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedules of this rule.

1. Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by EPD to provide reclaimed wastewater.
2. Irrigation of personal food gardens.

(3) Newly (in place less than thirty days) installed landscapes are subject to the following:

1. Irrigation of newly installed landscapes is allowed any day of the week, but only during allowed hours for the drought response level in effect, for a period of 30 days following installation. No watering is allowed during Drought Response Level Four.
2. For new landscapes installed by certified or licensed professionals, commercial exemptions apply.

(4) The following golf course outdoor water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedule of this rule:

1. Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by EPD to provide reclaimed wastewater.
2. Irrigation of fairways during times of non-drought and Declared Drought Response Level One.
3. Irrigation of tees during times of non-drought and Declared Drought Response Levels One, Two, and Three.
4. Irrigation of greens.

(5) The following commercial outdoor water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedules of this rule.

1. Professionally certified or licensed landscapers, golf course contractors, and sports turf landscapers:  during installation and 30 days following only.  Professional landscapers must be certified or licensed for commercial exemptions to apply.
2. Irrigation contractors:  during installation and as needed for proper maintenance and adjustments only.
3. Sod producers.
4. Ornamental growers.
5. Fruit and vegetable growers.
6. Retail garden centers.
7. Hydro-seeding.
8. Power-washing.
9. Construction sites.
10. Producers of food and fiber.
11. Car washes.
12. Other activities essential to daily business.
13. Watering-in of pesticides and herbicides on turf.

For more information, please call the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management at 770-270-6243 or visit the Georgia Environmental Protection Division website at www.gaepd.org.

THESE GUIDELINES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING ENFORCEMENT

Water Citation Inspectors will be dispatched during this restricted period. Watering violations should be reported to the Department of Watershed Management at 770-270-6243. The current enforcement was adopted by the Board Of Commissioners on November 13, 2007.  It is as follows:

   Enforcement Process

1^st Offense - Written Warning.

2^nd Offense - $250.00 fine.

3^rd Offense - $500.00 fine.

4^th Offense - $1000.00 fine, jail time, and termination of water service.